777MechSys From United States of America, joined Apr 2006, 350 posts, RR: 2 Posted (6 years 5 months 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 2085 times:
I will be heading down to San Antonio this holiday season and would like to get some shots. Where are the best locations?
About two years ago I took some 35mm night shots in the approach path along 281. I also have some family at Lackland. If I remember correctly Military Highway has a nice overview of the south end of the runway.
Military trainers still shoot approaches at Stinson?
Scottieprecord From United States of America, joined Jul 2004, 1363 posts, RR: 12 Reply 1, posted (6 years 5 months 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 2062 times:
Quoting 777MechSys (Thread starter): I will be heading down to San Antonio this holiday season and would like to get some shots. Where are the best locations?
However, spotting at SAT is kinda hairy right now... I was threatened by an officer on the 12th of December with a "Criminal Trespass Warning" if he saw me taking photos at the garage again.
I have a meeting scheduled for January 2nd with the Aviation Director, the Airport Manager, and the Chief of Airport Police to discuss aviation photography at SAT.
After talking with alot of the SAT guys, I have found out about two emails from the Airport Admin (one dated '00 and one dated June '05) sent to other SAT spotters designating the garage at SAT as an observation area where photographers can shoot.
I'd say it's probably okay for you to shoot there over the holidays. If an officer confronts you, just makes sure to let him know that you're visiting San Antonio and heard that the garage was a designated observation area. If it's Officer Diamond, well, you're in for some hassling...
777MechSys From United States of America, joined Apr 2006, 350 posts, RR: 2 Reply 2, posted (6 years 5 months 22 hours ago) and read 2045 times:
Thanks for the info and warning. I'll be sure to have my Boeing badge and business cards on me. Nashville airport police mellowed out quite a bit when I presented those items. They didn't even ask who the car I was driving was registered to.
Jderden777 From United States of America, joined Jan 2000, 1747 posts, RR: 33 Reply 3, posted (6 years 5 months 12 hours ago) and read 2031 times:
Just FYI i got the same message from the airport regarding the garage as the designated area from last fall. I only spent a few minutes up there over Thanksgiving in 2005 - no problems. Not a bad spot either, I might have to check that out again this spring.
Still active. I know Boeing has a mod. sight across the runway at Kelly USA (what used to be Kelly Air Force Base). I have seen quite a bit of traffic in the past. C-5's, F-16's, KC-135's. I believe some trainers from Randolph would shoot approaches there. I have watched C-5's shoot multiple approaches on several different occasions.
Scottieprecord From United States of America, joined Jul 2004, 1363 posts, RR: 12 Reply 6, posted (6 years 4 months 4 weeks 1 day 12 hours ago) and read 1992 times:
Quoting CO777 (Reply 5): Is the garage there good for shooting all day this time of the year?
Planes are backlit in the mornings, but from around noon until 5 or so everything's good.
Here are some examples of the different views from the garage.
**Don't click...**
Sleekjet From United States of America, joined Jul 2001, 2045 posts, RR: 24 Reply 7, posted (6 years 4 months 4 weeks 18 hours ago) and read 1976 times:
There is also another location where shots like this can be made:
Scottieprecord From United States of America, joined Jul 2004, 1363 posts, RR: 12 Reply 8, posted (6 years 4 months 4 weeks 17 hours ago) and read 1971 times:
Quoting Sleekjet (Reply 7): My son took me there and I'm not familiar enough with the area to describe the the directions.
Ahh... forgot to mention that spot.
Take a look at mapquest around SAT. Head NW on Sandau Rd (parallel to 30L). Go over 281, the road name then changes to Rhapsody Dr. Continue on Rhapsody until you see Warfield Dr. Turn right and continue on down that road for about 1/4 mile... there's a line of businesses on the right with parking lots in the back. Find the one with the best view!
It requires, I'd say, at least around a 400mm lens.
A similar location is a little closer... Head S. on 281 access road. Turn right on Braniff Rd and park off on the side. Walk back up the access road towards the centerline for 12R. Here's what I got there:
777MechSys From United States of America, joined Apr 2006, 350 posts, RR: 2 Reply 9, posted (6 years 4 months 4 weeks 14 hours ago) and read 1964 times:
How much reach do you need from parking garage? I am a starving engineer and only have 200mm.
Scottieprecord From United States of America, joined Jul 2004, 1363 posts, RR: 12 Reply 10, posted (6 years 4 months 4 weeks 11 hours ago) and read 1951 times:
Quoting 777MechSys (Reply 9): How much reach do you need from parking garage?
For 12R/30L: 737s/MD80s (majority) are about 300mm
For Rwy 3: 200mm is plenty
Just depends on the winds... hope for 3 arrivals though. Those are the best.
Bruce From United States of America, joined May 1999, 5025 posts, RR: 17 Reply 11, posted (6 years 4 months 3 weeks 6 days 21 hours ago) and read 1937 times:
You know, it does seem that Texas as a whole has a lot of av photo opportunities. SAT looks great, not terribly far away is Houston with 2 great airports plus a museum on the ramp at one of them, and then 4 hours north is Dallas with more great spots. I wonder about Austin. But a person from another country could plan a holiday in Texas and have a huge variety.
Bruce
Bruce Leibowitz - Jackson, MS (KJAN) - Canon 50D/100-400L IS lens
Longhornmaniac From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 3094 posts, RR: 48 Reply 12, posted (6 years 4 months 3 weeks 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 1922 times:
Austin has two good spots, one Official Spotting area off Golf Course Rd. at the north end of 17L, and another one, that I've had no problem with the couple of times I've gone, underneath the flight path for 17R near a cemetary. Here are some shots of each:
The Family Viewing Area has yielded shots such as this:
777MechSys From United States of America, joined Apr 2006, 350 posts, RR: 2 Reply 13, posted (6 years 4 months 2 weeks 3 days 15 hours ago) and read 1870 times:
Well, I had fun at KSKF & KSAT. I did catch a nice traffic jam one evening.
Scottieprecord From United States of America, joined Jul 2004, 1363 posts, RR: 12 Reply 14, posted (6 years 4 months 2 weeks 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 1860 times:
Avsfan From United States of America, joined Aug 2006, 250 posts, RR: 2 Reply 15, posted (6 years 4 months 2 weeks 3 days 13 hours ago) and read 1854 times:
Nice shot. The USAF C-17 does give the pic a different perspective. Nothing like seeing the good 'ol USAF making appearances at civilian airfields.
"Oh I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth...Put out my hand and touched the face of God"
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